taylor



(No Mom.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 1. lM. 1v1. TAYLOR. MAIL BAG DEPOSITOR.

Patented Oct. 3, 1893.

i M@ my umnmlumml (No Model.; 2 sheets-.sheet 2.

M. M'. TAYLOR.v MAIL BAG DBPOSITOB..

No. 505.996. Patented Q01-3, 189s.

@MRM/Leones Y A' v marayayhn UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARTIN M. TAYLOR, OF SPRINGDALE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGN OR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, OF ONE-HALF TO HIMSELF, WILLIAM M. GEORGE, AND JOHN GREGG, OF SAME PLACE.

MAIL-BAG DEPOSITO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 505,996, dated October 3, 1893.

Application filed May 18, 1893. Serial No. 474,660. (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MARTIN M. TAYLOR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springdale, in the county of Allegheny, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Bag Depositors; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the 1o art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to apparatus for distributing mail from rapidly moving trains; and aims to provide a depositor to be o peri 5 ated independent of mail bag catchers to deliver mail bags or pouches with less danger and labor to mail agents, and less danger to the mail matter and the public.

A further purpose of the invention is the zo provision of simple devices for eiecting the desired result and which can be attached to an ordinary car with special appliances, and which when not in position to deliver a mailbag can be used to support a mail bag within the car.

The improvement consists of the novel features and the peculiar construction and combination of the parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed and 3o which are shown in the annexed drawings, in

which- Figure] is a side elevation of the depositor showing the relative disposition of the parts when the same is used to support a mail 3 5 bag or pouch within the car. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of the catcher and the depositor, thelatter being shown in a relative position to deliver the bag or pouch, and the crane about to receive the same. Fig. 3 is a 4o detail view of the parts shown in Fig. 2, illustrating the relative position of the parts an instant after the mail bag or pouch has been delivered. Fig. 4 is a detail view of a depositor arm on a larger scale, showing the pivoted finger turned to one side.

The catcher which is located at one side of the track is composed of a post or support N, a beam M pivoted about midway of its ends to a cap 2 at the upper end of the post N, and

5o a hoop l? at the forward end of the beam M to receive the mail bag or pouch 3. The cap 2 comprises a socket which receives and is tted upon the upper end of the post N, and side pieces 4 which extend at right anglesfto and form a cross head upon the said socket and between which the beam M is pivoted at one end. The hook Pis of usual construction in this class of devices and is attached at its inner end to a bracket 5 which is secured to the lforward end of the beam M. The .rear end of the beam M is weighted to normally support the hook P in an operative position to receive the mail bag or pouch. Vhen not in use the beam will be turned to the position shown in Fig. 3 and fastened by means of the hasp R and lock, not shown, in the ordinary manner.

The depositor is composed of a turn postA which is journaled at its ends to or near a jamb of the car door, upper and lower arms B and C, respectively, which are pivoted at one end to the turn post A, a bar D pivotally connected at its ends to the upper and lower arms B and C a short distance from the turn post, and a lever E fulcrumed on the post A and pivotally connected with the bar D. This lever E is composed ot` two parts which are hinged together by a joint immediately in the rear of or close to the turn post A so that the handle portion I of the said lever may be turned up out of the way when the depositor is used as a support within the car, as shown most clearly in Fig. 1. A brace K is pivoted to the turn post A and is adapted to engage with the arm B to support the latter in a horizontal position as shown in Fig. l. The upper end ot' the turn post is journaled in a bracket J and its lower end may be similarly j ournaled or stepped in a bearing provided in the car Hoor. The upper journal is suiciently long to permit ot' the turn post being raised sufficiently far to disengage the lower journal from its bearing when it is desired to remove the depositor for repairs or any other purpose. A key S is provided to pass through the upper journals immediately below the bracket .I to prevent elevating the turn post when it is desired to secure the latter in place against vertical movement. The lower arm C iscomposed of two sections, the outer section 6 being hinged to the inner section so as to swing upward when the bag is delivered, as shown most clearly in Fig. 3. The outer end of the arm B is cut away to receive a finger or catch 7 which is pivoted thereto so as to swing laterally. A guard 8 is attached to said arm and operates to hold the ring of the mail bag from accidental displacementfromthengerorlatch'. Theouterends of the latch and guards are oppositely curved to give clearance for the ring G at the end of the mail bag or pouch. The arm C will be similarly provided with a finger, latch and guard. y

A hook L is provided and attached to the side of the car and is adapted to engage with a staple on the side of the arm B to hold the depositor steady when the latter is used as a support within the car. A notched keeperX is attached to the door jamb to receive the upper arm B and hold the latter in position when delivering the mail bag. A wear plate 9 is located on the door jamb to receive the blow of the arm C when the depositor is swung in position to deliver the mail.

The operation of the invention is as follows: When the depositor is out of service for delivering mail bag it stands crosswise inside of car as shown for use of mail agents to hang empty mail bags or while distributing mail next to be delivered. When bag is ready to be delivered the agent relieves position hook L swings depositor out of car door with right hand, with left gives slight downward pressure of handle on hook now in use permitting depositor to swing underneath same and drop top arm into keeper X Where it remains until mail bag is delivered into receiving hook which stands stationary on the ground. When the mail bag has been thus delivered a slight downward pressure and swing to the right of lever E will cause the depositor to fail out of service and way of any object. The small brace K underneath top arm supporting weight of mail bag during distribution and delivery of mail bag thus taking the laborof holding mail bag in proper position off of agent.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. An apparatus for depositing mail and other matter consisting of a turn post, upper and lower arms pivotally connected at one end to the turn post, and havin g engaging devices at the other end to support the matter to be deposited, a bar pivotally connected with the upper and lower arms a short distance from the turn post, and a lever fulcruined on the turn post and engaged with the said bar, substantially as set forth.

2. A mail bag depositor comprising a turn post, upper and lower arms pivotally connected with the said turn post,a bar connecting the upper and lower arms, a lever fulcrumed on the turn post and engaged with the said bar, and a brace to support the arms in approximately horizontal position, substantially as described for the purpose set forth.

3. In a mail bag depositor the combination of a turn post, upper and lower arms pivotally connected with the turn post, a bar connecting the said arms, and operating lever, and a keeper to engage with one of the said arms and'support to hold the device in position to deliver the mail, substantially as set forth.`

4. A mail bag depositor comprising a turn post, upper and lower arms pivotally cou nected with the said turn post,abar connecting the said arms, a brace for supporting the arm in an approximately horizontal position, a hook to fix the position of the device when used as a support Within the car, and a lever fulcrumed on the turn post and engaged with the said bar, the said lever being composed of two parts which are connected together by a rule joint close to the turn post to permit the handle portion to fold upward so the device can be turned within the car and used as a support, substantially in the manner set forth.

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MARTIN M. TAYLOR.

Witnesses:

M. D. WILEY, HENRY FISHER. 

